Ryder Cup: The five top shots on day one at Hazeltine National
By Keith Jackson at Hazeltine
Last Updated: 01/10/16 7:31am
The opening day of the 41st Ryder Cup produced much drama as well as the usual selection of outstanding shots. Here's a look at five of the best on Friday at Hazeltine National...
STENSON'S NEAR ACE
Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose atoned for their foursomes defeat to Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth with a crushing 5&4 win in the opening fourballs match, the highlight of which was Stenson coming within a whisker of a hole in one at the eighth.
KOEPKA'S FLYING START
Not many players are calm enough to birdie their first ever hole in Ryder Cup action, but super-smooth Brooks Koepka almost went one better with a stunning wedge to gimme range in the afternoon fourballs.
BIG PUTT FOR PIETERS
Thomas Pieters was superb for Europe on the opening day at Hazeltine, and this cracking long-range putt for birdie on the fourth green took him and Rory McIlroy into a lead they would never relinquish in the final match out.
FOWLER PITCH-PERFECT
Rickie Fowler finally earned his first Ryder Cup point at the ninth attempt, and this sensational chip-in for birdie at the ninth - which was emulated by Garcia in the afternoon - put the youngster and Phil Mickelson one up against Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan with their third hole won in a row.
GARCIA SILENCES THE CROWD
Having just chipped in at the ninth to go four up, Sergio Garcia had a Patrick Reed-style message for the baying crowd at the next after he holed a clutch putt to match Ryan Moore's birdie and keep him and fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello four clear.
